State declines to file charges against Greenslait

Former Freeport Fire Chief Ben Greenslait

By LAUREN SAGE REINLIE / Daily News

Published: Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 05:36 PM.

FREEPORT — A months-long investigation into former Fire Chief Ben Greenslait revealed that he provided false information about his previous employment and education when he applied for his position with the city.

However, the state attorney’s office decided last week not to pursue any further investigation or charges against him because he was fired as chief and is no longer working as a licensed firefighter, said Greg Anchors, chief assistant state attorney for Walton County.

“There were definitely incorrect statements that he made to the city,” Anchors said. “Once his license was removed we just didn’t pursue any further.”

Greenslait was put on administrative duty in June after it was discovered that his firefighter certification had lapsed long before he was hired on as chief in 2008.

He was kept on the payroll at his $47,407 salary until he could take a recertification test last month. He failed the rigorous physical exam and was fired on Sept. 21.

According to Anchors and an investigative report from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Greenslait provided the city with false information about his work history and education on at least three applications for various positions, including when he applied to head the department in 2008.

On a resumé Greenslait submitted when he applied to become chief, he stated that he had an associate’s degree in fire science from Okaloosa Walton Community College when in fact he had completed only six out of the required 60 hours, according to transcripts and school officials.

He also stated in the resumé that he had worked as a lieutenant with the South Walton Fire Department, which he had not.

When Greenslait first became a volunteer firefighter at Freeport he submitted an application dated July 20, 1997, but the date was altered, the report said. His age is listed as 30 even though he was still 29 at the time.

On that application, he provided false information about the years he had worked with the South Walton Fire Department, stating that he continued on past his official resignation date of 1994. Neither Greenslait nor the department was able to provide any documentation verifying that he was employed during that time.

A firefighter’s certification lapses if he is not active for more than three years and the false information covered up the fact that Greenslait’s certification was no longer valid.

Despite the investigative findings, Freeport Mayor Mickey Marse continues to defend Greenslait. He said he doesn’t believe he provided the city with any false information, he just wasn’t able to prove that what he asserted in his resumé was true.

“This was a conspiracy to destroy that man and that’s what they’ve done,” he said.

City council members voted to continue to pay Greenslait for the 310 vacation and sick hours he had accrued.

Ted Brown, who used to work with the fire department, filed the criminal complaint against Greenslait in July.

He said he was disappointed that the state attorney’s office declined to pursue charges and hold Greenslait accountable for the salary he earned after making false statements on his application.

“So, it’s ok for someone after they fraudulently acquired a position by lying about their education and lying about their certification for four-and-a-half years to steal $240,000 of the taxpayers' money?” he said. “That blows my mind.”

He said he is looking into appealing the decision.

Interim Fire Chief Al Ford will continue to oversee the department until the end of January.

He and Russell Beaty are on loan from the Walton County Sheriff’s emergency operations team. The city plans to provide the county with some financial reimbursement in the future, according to city and county officials.

Anchors said there was not sufficient evidence to pursue a second set of criminal charges regarding Greenslait’s involvement with local charities.

FREEPORT — A months-long investigation into former Fire Chief Ben Greenslait revealed that he provided false information about his previous employment and education when he applied for his position with the city.

However, the state attorney’s office decided last week not to pursue any further investigation or charges against him because he was fired as chief and is no longer working as a licensed firefighter, said Greg Anchors, chief assistant state attorney for Walton County.

“There were definitely incorrect statements that he made to the city,” Anchors said. “Once his license was removed we just didn’t pursue any further.”

Greenslait was put on administrative duty in June after it was discovered that his firefighter certification had lapsed long before he was hired on as chief in 2008.

He was kept on the payroll at his $47,407 salary until he could take a recertification test last month. He failed the rigorous physical exam and was fired on Sept. 21.

According to Anchors and an investigative report from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Greenslait provided the city with false information about his work history and education on at least three applications for various positions, including when he applied to head the department in 2008.

On a resumé Greenslait submitted when he applied to become chief, he stated that he had an associate’s degree in fire science from Okaloosa Walton Community College when in fact he had completed only six out of the required 60 hours, according to transcripts and school officials.

He also stated in the resumé that he had worked as a lieutenant with the South Walton Fire Department, which he had not.

When Greenslait first became a volunteer firefighter at Freeport he submitted an application dated July 20, 1997, but the date was altered, the report said. His age is listed as 30 even though he was still 29 at the time.

On that application, he provided false information about the years he had worked with the South Walton Fire Department, stating that he continued on past his official resignation date of 1994. Neither Greenslait nor the department was able to provide any documentation verifying that he was employed during that time.

A firefighter’s certification lapses if he is not active for more than three years and the false information covered up the fact that Greenslait’s certification was no longer valid.

Despite the investigative findings, Freeport Mayor Mickey Marse continues to defend Greenslait. He said he doesn’t believe he provided the city with any false information, he just wasn’t able to prove that what he asserted in his resumé was true.

“This was a conspiracy to destroy that man and that’s what they’ve done,” he said.

City council members voted to continue to pay Greenslait for the 310 vacation and sick hours he had accrued.

Ted Brown, who used to work with the fire department, filed the criminal complaint against Greenslait in July.

He said he was disappointed that the state attorney’s office declined to pursue charges and hold Greenslait accountable for the salary he earned after making false statements on his application.

“So, it’s ok for someone after they fraudulently acquired a position by lying about their education and lying about their certification for four-and-a-half years to steal $240,000 of the taxpayers' money?” he said. “That blows my mind.”

He said he is looking into appealing the decision.

Interim Fire Chief Al Ford will continue to oversee the department until the end of January.

He and Russell Beaty are on loan from the Walton County Sheriff’s emergency operations team. The city plans to provide the county with some financial reimbursement in the future, according to city and county officials.

Anchors said there was not sufficient evidence to pursue a second set of criminal charges regarding Greenslait’s involvement with local charities.